The Bluffton news. [volume], February 16, 1939, Image 1

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BLUFFTON NEWS
The Advertising Medium for
Bluffton Trade Territory
VOLUME NO. LXIII
BUCKEYE LEASE
GAINS SUPPORT
Committee from Lions (lub
Club Favors Proposal in
Conference Tuesday
Town Council to Consider Lease
Of Swimming Spot from
Utility Company
Proposed lease of Buckeye quarry
by the town for swimming and re
c.eational purposes gained momen
tum the first of the week when the
project was endorsed by a committee
from the Bluffton Lions club, a com
munity service organization.
The proposal to lease the place to
the municipality was made several
weeks ago by the Central Ohio Light
& Power company, which owns the
quarry.
The company indicated that it was
unwilling to grant a lease to an in
dividual but would lease the place
to the municipality for a five year
period at $1 per year. In event the
municipality is unwilling to take over
the place under lease, the quarry
will be closed to the public, the
company stated.
Confer With Mayor
In a conference with Mayor W. A.
Howe, Tuesday night, a committee
from the Lions club approved the
lease proposal and indicated that the
club would cooperate with the city
administration in the project.
Personnel of the Lions club com
mittee included: C. G. Coburn, Noah
Basinger, I. B. Beeshy, Ross Bogart,
Armin Hauenstein, John Swisher and
Fred Getties.
During the past week some senti
ment appeared in favor of applying
for a WPA project to fit up the
quarry at the water works plant
for swimming. However, opinion at
the conference Tuesday night was
expressed in favor of the Buckeye
lease. The Buckeye, which has been
established for the past twenty years
as a swimming spot here would
robably continue to be in popular
demand, it was felt.
School Pupils to Vote
Whether Bluffton high school stu
dents would prefer to swim in the
Buckeye or waterworks will be in
dicated next Monday when a vote
on the matter will be taken, it was
announced the first of the week. The
vote will be under auspices of the
Hi-Y club, student service organiza
tion. Thirty-two members of the
Hi-Y club a week ago petitioned the
council to keep the Buckeye quarry
open during the coming summer.
The matter of the lease is expect
ed to be one of the principal mat
ters to come before the town coun
cil next Monday night and a de
cision on the matter is expected at
that time.
In provisions of a lease submitted
to the council by the Central Ohio
Light & Power company, the muni
cipality would be given a free hand
in the matter of operation of the
quarry for swimming and recreation
purposes.
No Liability to Utility
The utility company, however, spe
cifies that it be relieved of any lia
bility in event of accidents arising
from operation of the quarry. Also
the company reserves the right to
use the water in case of emergency
and the town may do nothing to
contaminate or diminish the water
supply.
Members of the town council indi
cated that in event the quarry was
leased by the municipality, it would
oe sub-leased to some individual who
would assume responsibility for op
eration of the place. Liability in
surance against accidents will also
be considered.
In the matter of upkeep, which
would be in the hands of the lease,
the place is said to be in good con
dition with exception of the two
floating beaches which will require
considerable repairs.
Under terms of the proposed lease
the municipality would have per
mission to erect any buildings or
other improvements deemed neces
sary for operation of the quarry for
swimming and bathing and would
also have the privilege of removing
them at the expiration of the lease.
Real Estate Deal
Orville Matter has purchased the
'orty acre tract known as the John
Kohler farm four miles south of
town. The place was owned by
Frank Burkholder and occupied by
his son, Sidney Burkholder. The
land adjoins Matter’s farm. The
deal was made by the Althaus &
Collins agency here.
Edwin Badertscher has purchased
from Harley Diller three lots on
Jefferson street on the site formerly
occupied by the Agin poultry house.
1
fhe
Schools To Close
On Washington’s
Birthday, Feb. 22
FJLUFFTON’S high and grade
schools will be closed on
Washington’s birthday, next
Wednesday. Action authorizing
closing of the schools on that
day was taken at a meeting of
the Bluffton board of education,
Tuesday night.
In observance of the holiday
there will be no mail delivery
on city or rural routes, Post
master Ed Reichenbach an
nounced. The Citizens bank
will also be dosed on that day.
TO GET COST OF
CITY HEAT LINES
Estimated Expenditure for
Construction of Mains to
Be Made by Engineer
Mayor W. A. Howe Promises
To I^ay Facts Before People
In Investigation
Possibility of providing a city-wide
residential heating service from a
central municipal heating plant will be
investigated in detail by Bluffton’s
city administration, Mayor W. A.
Howe announced this week.
In commenting on the investigation
program, the mayor said all facts that
can be ascertained without going to
undue expense will be presented to the
public.
Action of the municipality is the
result of a petition presented last
week by some fifty Bluffton taxpayers
and prospective home ow-ners asking
that heat be made generally available
for residences in all sections of the
town.
Will Estimate Cost
In connection with the investigation,
Mayor Howe and Superintendent J.
W. Swisher, of the Municipal light and
power plant will meet in Lima this
week with an engineer from The Crane
Co., manfuacturers of heating and
plumbing equipment to obtain an es
timate on the cost of heat lines extend
ing thruout the town.
No expense is involved in this phase
of the investigation, the mayor said,
and with approximate figures avail
able it will be possible to determine
what the aggregate cost of the pro
ject migh be.
Although estimates to be furnished
by representatives of the Crane com
pany will be for construction only of
the heating mains and will not include
operating costs, some light on the
cost of operation has been obtained
from data furnished by representa
tives of the Central Ohio Light and
Power company who operate a cen
tral heating system from their Find
lay generating plant.
Assume “Live” Steam Required
Figures from the Central Ohio
Light and Power Findlay heating ser
vice where live steam is used indi
cate the cost of heating an average
size home is approximately $120 per
year. This is based on a rate of 30
cents per foot of radiation. This rate
which was described as being lower
than the average, is said to be neces
sary because live steam is required.
Bluffton’s rate of 15 cents per foot of
radiation is based on use of waste
steam which otherwise would bring no
return to the municipal plant.
In most cases where centrally dis
tributed heat, produced from live
steam is available, the cost is from 18
to 25 per cent higher than heating by
coal in an individual furnace, it was
pointed out.
Estimate Heat From Municipal Plant
Investigation of the possibility of
centrally distributed heat is being pur
sued on the basis that the heat would
have to be provided by the municipal
plant.
Riley Creek Proves Useful To
Early Richland Twp. Settlers
Spokesman for the Central Ohio
Light and Power Co., last week an
nounced that the utility is not inter
ested in nor prepared to provide heat
from their Bluffton generating plant.
In fuilher explanation this week it
was pointed out that hot water dis
charged at present into the large quar
ry varies from about 80 degrees in
summer to 60 degrees in winter and
could not at all be adapted for heat
ing purposes. It is not hot enough in
its present discharged state to be used
for heating because the temperature
would be considerably lowered in
transmission.
Further details will be announced as
the investigation continues .Mayor
Howe said Wednesday.
Stream Operates Siddall's Grist
Mill and Furnishes Water
For Cooking
Pioneer Paddled Homemade
Canoe Down Riley to
Toledo Trading Post
The Bluffton News presents
the twenty-fifth installment of
the "Centennial Series" dealing
with early Bluffton history and
published in commemoration of
the one hundredth anniversary
of Bluffton's founding.—Editor.
In the midst of the dense forests
where the early settlers of Richland
township built their first log cobins,
the activities of life and of gaining
a livelihood were of the most ardu
ous nature. Neighbors were few and
far between, mills and stores were
miles away, tools were scarce and
the few trails were almost impass
able.
Here Indians still conducted hunt
ing parties, and bears, wolves, deer
and many other wild animals were
plentiful. For many years the only
meat available was that of the wild
animals which the settlers shot or
trapped in spare moments domestic
animals were too necessary for
other purposes.
Oxen were used to pull stumps, to
plow the recently cleared fields, and
to transport materials. The few
cows that were at hand furnished
the families with the dairy products,
which were prepared by the individ
ual families.
Lost Cattle Big Problem
One of the greatest problems in
the lives of these pioneers was to
find lost cattle. A great many ad
ventures came with this activity.
Sometimes men would leave the
(Continued on page 2)
Presents Charter
To New Lions Club
When Forrest Steinman presented
a charter to the newly organized
Lions club at Stow, Ohio, Monday
night, it was the fifth charter to be
presented by the Bluffton man since
he assumed the duties of district
governor of Lions clubs last July.
Other clubs who have received
charters presented by Steinman are
those of Green Springs, Sunbury,
Talmadge and Marion.
Steinman was accompanied to
Stowe by Mrs. Steinman and also
State Secretary of Lions clubs E. S.
Lape and Mrs. Lape.
Last Rites Are Held
For Mrs. Ted Clark
Funeral services for Mrs. Ted
Clark were held at her late home on
North Main street, Sunday after
noon. Rev. C. L. Grabill of the
Missionary church officiated at the
services following which interment
was made in Maple Grove cemetery.
Mi*s. Clark, aged 61, died at her
home here Friday morning from
uremic poisoning. She had been in
failing health for the past ten years.
She was born near New Stark,
Hancock county, March 17, 1877 and
resided in Bluffton during most of
the time since her marriage.
Surviving are her husband one
daughter, Mrs. Stella Core two sons
George and Don Clark and five
grandchildren, all of Bluffton.
Red Cross Aid For
Earthquake Victims
Bluffton and vicinity have been
asked by the Red Cross for contri
butions for relief of Chilean earth
quake victims, it was announced here
the first of the week by officers of
the local Red Cross chapter.
No canvass of the town will be
made but residents are urged to
leave money for this purpose at the
Citizens bank or either drug store.
Red Cross executives pointed out that
because of the present crisis, the
need for early action is urgent.
Report Former Local
Pastor Seriously III
Rev. W. S. Gottshall, former
Bluffton minister, is seriously ill
with complications at the Mennonite
home in Frederick, Pa., according to
word received here the first of the
week.
Rev. Gottshall, former pastor of
the First Mennonite, Ebenezer and
St. John churches here, has been un
til recently pastor of a Mennonite
church near Quakertown, Pa.
Mrs. Gottshall who was quite ill
during the past year is reported
somewhat improved.
A NEWSPAPER DEVOTED TO THE INT ERESTS OF BLUFFTON AND VICINITY
BLUFFTON, OHIO, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 1939
POSTOFFICE SITE
SUBSOIL TESTED
Shafts Sunk to Depth of Fif
teen Feet to Supply Data
For Foundation
Information Forwarded t(j
Washington to be Basis
For Specifications
Preliminary steps looking toward
the construction of Bluffton’s new
$80,000 federal post office building
were under way the first of the
week with the taking of sub-soil
tests.
Several shafts have been sunk to
a depth of fifteen fbet to determine
the type of underlying soil and its
suitability for a foundation. Sam
ples of the soil taken at specified
intervals are forwarded to Washing
ton where they wfll furnish a basis
for specifications for the foundation.
The site at Soul’ Main and
Franklin street purchased by the
government for the location of the
new building was surveyed during
the past week by J. D. Levin, en
gineer from the procurement divis
ion of the public buildings branch
of the United States Treasury de
partment.
Gets Data
on
Location
Levin also took photographs of the
location and gathered information
relative to sewers and other data
pertaining to the property. This in
formation will also be sent to Wash
ington and used as a basis for de
termining construction details.
Levin will be here at frequent in
tervals, having his headquarters at
present in Paulding where he is
supervising construction of a new
federal post office building.
Contracts for construction will be
let and work started before the close
of the government’s fiasco year,
June 30, Levin stated.
Work on the structure likely will
be under way early in May with
300 days allowed for completion of
the building, he said. However, in
most cases work of this type is com
pleted within seven months, Levin
added.
High School To Stage
"Chimes Of Normandy9
Attired in Norman-French cos
tumes of the seventeenth century, a
Bluffton high school cast and sup
porting chorus of sixty voices will
present Robert Planquette’s tuneful
light opera, “Chimes of Normandy”
in the high school gymnasium Thurs
day night at 8 o’clock.
The production is under direction
of Miss Ruth Lambertus, instructor
in vocal music in the schools as
sisted by an orchestra under direc
tion of Prof. Sidney Hauenstein, in
structor in instrumental music.
Action of the opera centers about
the Count of Corneville, long lost
heir, who returns to his boyhood
home in Normandy and his subse
quent romance with Germaine, a
servant girl who turns out to be an
heiress.
Principals of the cast are:
Henri, ................ Paul Soldner
Grenecheux, sailor Herbert Oyer
Gaspard, miser Wilhelm Amstutz, II
Bailie, ............ Kenneth Gable
village governor
Germaine, ..... Bonita Clark
Serpolette, Mary Alice Howe
Gaspard’s wards
Gertrude, ........ Zitella Getties
Manette, ....... Jeanne Baumgartner
Village girls
The supporting chorus includes
man and maid servants, maidens,
peasants and coachmen.
Name Speaker For M.
E. Father-Son Dinner
Rev. V. H. Allman, conference
superintendent of the United Breth
ren church will be the speaker at
the Father-Son banquet in the
Methodist church dining room next
Monday night at 6:30 o’clock. The
affair is sponsored by the Men’s
Brotherhood, it is announced by the
pastor, Rev. J. A. Weed, pastor.
A program of quartet and group
singing has been arranged. Dinner
will be served by young people of
the Epworth League.
Births
Mr. and Mrs. Gottlieb Steiner of
Jenera are the parents of a daugh
ter born at the Bluffton Community
hospital, Wednesday morning.
Announcement has been made of
the birth of a daughter to Mr. and
Mrs. DeWitt Mills of Marion. Mrs.
Mills was formerly Miss Martha
Badertscher, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. J. M. Badertscher of this place.
UFFTON NEWS
Doubling the capacity of the
Woodcock generating plant operated
here by the Central Ohio Light and
Power Co. last week resulted in
closing uf the St. Marys plant of
the utip«, which had been in con
tinuous»)eration since 1902.
Out^nijl’of the local plant was
doiAldKi recently by the installation
o^B* new 5000 KW generator, and
t^Fmain load required for the ex
tensive holdings of the utility now
is generated locally.
Closing of the old powerhouse in
St. Marys last week also marked the
end of another reminder of the days
when the Western Ohio interurban
railway operated thru this part of
More Than 200 Expected to At
tend Dinner at High School
Next Tuesday
Prominent State Officials are
Included on Speakers'
Program Here
Approximately 200 persons are ex
pected to attend the fifth annual char
ter anniversary of the Bluffton Lions
club at a dinner meeting next Tues
day night in the high school gymna
sium. It will be a ladies night meet
ing.
Marion B. Harover of Manchester,
Ohio, governor of district 13-B of
Lions clubs, will be the principal
speaker.
Another feature will be the presen
tation of a special award to G. R. Bo
gart, president of the Bluffton club, by
International Director Henry Bowers,
in recognition of the work of the local
organization.
Former District Governor Don
Gibbs, of Urbana, who presented the
charter to the Bluffton club five years
ago, will be here for the next Tues
day’s gala meeting to award Lions
service keys to two Bluffton members.
Delegations are expected from Fos
toria, which has pledeged 100 per cent
attendance from their club, Lima, To
ledo, Marion, Celina, Coldwater, Ur
bana, Akron, Canton, Lakewood and
Columbus. Many prominent state of
ficials of the Lions organization will
be included in the parties attending.
The occasion will be of special im
portance to the Fostoria club as they
are planning to celebrate at the din
I ner here, their club’s charter night
which also comes during this month.
Special music for the banquet meet
ing will be provided by the Bluffton
College A Capella choir directed by
Prof. Russell A. Lantz.
Masonic Father-Son
Dinner Date Changed
Date for holding the Bluffton Ma
sonic Father-Son dinner has been
changed from this Thursday to Wed
nesday night, March 1. The dinner
will be held in the Masonic dining
room at 6:30, it is announced by
Harold Kennedy, master of the
lodge.
Utility’s Bluffton Plant Takes
Over Load Of St. Mary’s Station
Bluffton Lions To Entertain
Visiting Clubs On Charter Night
Five new members will be inducted
into the club at next Tuesday’s meet
ing, with Past District Governor Wal
ter Hutchinson of Akron, in charge of
the services. The new members in
clude Paul D. Martinka, Mayor Wilbur
A. Howe, Dr. Lloyd L. Ramseyer, Prof.
Francis A. Dabione and Ralph Y. Blos
ser.
Speaker for the evening will be
Rev. C. C. Shedd, pastor of the First
Methodist church in Findlay. Rev.
Shedd ranks high in masonic circles
and has held important offices in
the order. He will speak on the
subject “George Washington as a
Man and Mason.”
Bluffton Girls
In Speech Meet
Louise Dunifon and Phyllis Stein
er placed fourth and sixth respect
ively in a district extemporaneous
speech contest held last Saturday
in Findlay. The two girls represent
ted Bluffton High school in the
event.
TWO-HEADED LAMB
Albert Gibbs, residing in the Har
ris property on South Main street
exhibited a curiosity here Wednes
day morning—a lamb with two heads
born on the farm of his father near
Mt. Cory. The lamb lived for a
short time. Gibbs will have it
stuffed and preserved as a relic.
Ohio. The electric line was discon
tinued in 1932.
When the fires died out last week
in the plant at St. Marys it likely
was the first time since 1902, when
Western Ohio interurban service was
inaugurated from Wapakoneta to St.
Marys that not a single boiler was
in operation.
Electricity will no longer be gen
erated in St. Marys, and the former
power house in the future will
serve only as a sub-station from
which current will be distributed to
New Bremen, Minster and points
west. All current used in the fu
ture will be generated in Bluffton
and Findlay, where another plant
is operated on a part-time basis.
Couple Announces
New Year's Bedding
Announcement has been made of
the recent wedding of Miss Virginia
Bell, youngest daughter of Thomas
Bell of Orange township to Charles
R. Emans, youngest son of the late
Mr. and Mrs. Chas. F. Emans of
this place.
The wedding took place on New
Year’s day, 1939, at 6 p. m. at the
home of the officiating minister, Rev.
H. D. Camp in Rawson. The couple
was attended by Mr. and Mrs.
Stephen Morvaj of Pandora. Mrs.
Morvay was the former Mabel Rice.
Mrs. Emans was attired for the
occasion in an afternoon frock of
navy blue with gold accessories and
wore a shoulder corsage of pink tea
roses and baby breath. Her attend
ant wore a burgundy frock with blue
accessories and matching corsage.
Mrs. Emans graduated from Bluff
ton high school in 1936 and is em
ployed at the plant of the Triplett
Electrical Instrument company.
Mr. Emans graduated from Bluff
ton high school in 1932 and attended
Bluffton college in 1934. He is now
employed at the Hankish confection
ery.
The couple will reside at the
Emans home on Mound street.
Dedicatory Service
For College Head
A special dedicatory service for
Dr. Lloyd L. Ramseyer, new presi
dent of Bluffton college, was attend
ed by an audience of approximately
500 persons last Wednesday night in
the First Mennonite church.
Leaders of Mennonite Christian
education took part in the service.
Rev. J. J. Plennert, president of
the eastern district conference of
Mennonites, was chairman and D. J.
Unruh, pastor of the St. John Men
nonite church, read scripture. Rev.
G. I. Gundy, pastor of the Meadows
Mennonite church near Genoa. Ill.,
offered prayer. Dr .S. K. Mosiman,
president-emeritus of the college,
presented the charge of service to
Dr. L. L. Ramseyer and Rev. P. E.
Whitmer, pastor of the Grace Men
nonite church of Pandora, ordained
the new president into the service of
Christian education and its work.
Dean J. S. Schultz, in behalf of
the students, faculty and alumni of
the school, gave a welcome to the
new president.
Bluffton Man Gets
Citizenship Papers
Robert Potts, west of Bluffton, was
granted his citizenship papers in
Lima Wednesday of last week, after
a final hearing before Judge Emmit
E. Everett.
Potts, a native of Belgium, is em
ployed at the plant of The Triplett
electrical Instrument Co.
Mrs. .P. Klassen, of South
Jackson street, wife of Prof. Klas
sen, of Bluffton college, who was
denied citizenship papers several
years ago because she objected on
religious grounds to bearing arms in
time of war, applied for citizenship
again last week.
The court tabled her request for
six months, pending a U. S. district
court ruling on a similar case. The
outcome of the district case in all
probability will govern final disposi
tion of Mrs. Klassen’s petition to be
permitted to take an amended oath
of allegiance in which she would
not be required to swear she would
bear arms.
CONDITION UNCHANGED
J. C. Guider who suffered a para
lytic stroke several weeks ago con
tinues seriously ill at his home south
of Bluffton. His condition is report
ed unchanged.
MBMM
BLUFFTON
A Good Place to Live and a
Good Place to Trade
NUMBER 42
BIG PROGRAM OF
CATTLE FEEDING
Many White Faced Herefords
On Farms in Bluffton
Area This Winter
Marketing of Feeders Started
Saturday to Continue
Thru Summer
Forage crops which last fall filled
barns thruout this district to the
bursting point are being rapidly
diminished this winter in one of the
most extensive livestock feeding pro
grams seen here in recent years.
Hogs—the perennial and old faith
ful vehicle for the marketing of the
corn crop are sharing prominence
this winter with a really sizeable
cattle feeding project.
Cattle, principally white-faced
Herefords, shipped in last summer
and fall from the western plains are
thriving on provender grown in the
Bluffton district. Although the vol
ume of feed required for the live
stock projects this winter has been
unusually large, there is no indica
tion of anything like a shortage in
fact there has developed during the
past two months an additional de
mand for feeding shoats.
Cattle
in
Good Condition
With an abundance of feed avail
able, cattle generally on farms thru
out the district are coming thru the
winter in good condition. Majority
of the feeders purchased here were
small, averaging around 400 pounds.
Under the regular procedure the
stock will be put on grass this
spring and given a corn finish for
summer and fall marketing.
A few farmers who started their
livestock program last fall with
heavier cattle are now getting in
position to market their offerings.
One sizeable lot of this class of cat
tle, averaging around 1,000 pounds
was sold on the market here last
Saturday.
Because of uncertainty over the
future course of the market, there
also appears to be some disposition
on the part of farmers to lighten
their commitments and dispose of
some cattle in the 500 and 600 pound
class before being properly finished
out for market requirements.
Couple On Honeymoon
Fly From California
lying east from the Pacific coast
the first of the week on an airplane
honeymoon trip, Mr. and Mrs.
Harold Frederick, married in Oak
land, Calif., last Sunday, are visit
ing in Ashtabula, Ohio, at the home
of his parents Dr. and Mrs. H. O.
Frederick.
Dr. and Mrs. Frederick were form
er Bluffton residents and Harold,
their youngest son, was employed
heie at the Meter works several
years ago.
The wedding, which took place last
Sunday was solemnized in the Epis
copal church in Oakland. The bride
was the former Kay Ann Campbell,
a resident of that city. The couple
left on their airplane wedding trip
immediately following the ceremony.
Mr.* Frederick is employed by the
United Air lines as a radio operator
at Burbank, Calif., where the couple
will reside.
World Day Of Prayer
Meeting Here Feb. 24
V omen of the different congrega
tions in Bluffton will take part in
the annual \V orld Day of Prayer in
the Lutheran church, Friday, Feb
ruary 24.
The yearly gathering for many
years always has been held on the
first Friday in Lent. Women of all
denominations throughout the world
gather some part of that day for
observance.
Among the informative matter
sent out by the National Committee
of Church Women, is a tentative
program which suggests periods of
praise and Thanksgiving. Leaders
have been selected for each period.
An uregnt invitation is extended
to all.
MOVE TO ADA
Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Huber resid
ing four miles south of Bluffton will
move from their farm to their resi
dence property in Ada next month.
They will hold a public sale at the
farm on Thursday, March 2.
The Huber farm will be occupied
by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Fleming
who have rented the place for the
coming year. Mr. and Mrs. Fleming
will move from the home of her par
ents, Mr. and Mrs. I. W. Welty of
West Elm street.